26.11.17

Photo: Robert Mugabe and Wife Looking Humble as They Welcome Visitors from Namibia

L-R,
Former Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Robert Mugabe, Grace
Mugabe, Founding President of Namibia Sam Nujoma and Vice President of
Namibia Nickey Iyambo

The
former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace have
been spotted welcoming visitors after he was ousted by the military.

Moments after the swearing-in of Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s
new president on Friday, deposed leader, Robert Mugabe and his wife
Grace, got some visitors from Namibia.

News reports did not disclose what the visitors told their hosts in
the Mugabes’ sprawling Blue Roof palace, but the photograph of the
meeting spoke a lot, about what the visitors represent.

Like Zimbabwe, Namibia waged a struggle for independence and Sam
Nujoma was the hero of that struggle. But he did not follow Mugabe’s
example, but rather looked further south, taking a cue from Nelson
Mandela.

Sam Nujoma, who led the visitors became president in 1990, ten
years after Mugabe took over Zimbabwe’s leadership. But unlike Mugabe,
Nujoma spent three terms, quitting in 2005.

Two years after, he also stepped aside as President of the ruling
party, SWAPO(South West African People’s Organisation). Sam Nujoma is 88
years old and he has effectively retired from politics.

His successor President Hifikepunye Pohamba, also came calling. As
second President of Namibia, he reigned from 21 March 2005 to 21 March
2015. Pohamba, 82 years old, was the President of SWAPO from 2007 until
his retirement in 2015. Pohamba was a recipient of the $5million Mo
Ibrahim Prize in 2014, one of the rare African leaders to have won the
award.

Then, there was also among the visitors, current Vice President
Nickey Iyambo. He is 81 years old and must be on his way out, in the
Namibian tradition.

In awarding Pohamba the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Prize, the award committee noted:
“President Pohamba’s focus in forging national cohesion and
reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia’s consolidation of democracy
and social and economic development impressed the ‎Prize Committee. His
ability to command the confidence and the trust of his people is
exemplary. During the decade of his Presidential mandate, he
demonstrated sound and wise leadership. At the same time, he maintained
his humility throughout his Presidency.”

Salim Ahmed Salim, a member of the committee went on to praise President Pohamba’s commitment to democracy and governance.

“During the decade of Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Presidency,
Namibia’s reputation has been cemented as a well-governed, stable and
inclusive democracy with strong media freedom and respect for human
rights.”

Doubtless, Mugabe’s visitors represent a different African spirit:
They did not sit tight in office, unlike Mugabe, who spent 37 years and
ruined his country.